A £4.5 million scheme has helped 100 long-term unemployed people in Bradford find work.

The Bradford Council Employment Opportunities Fund, which began three months ago, is on track to create its targeted 400 temporary jobs, which will see people employed on 12-month contracts carrying out work to benefit the community.

The authority is working with the district’s biggest social housing landlord Incommunities, which last month won the Telegraph & Argus Job Creator of the Year award, as well as Job Centre Plus and Aspire-i to deliver the programme.

It has so far supported more than 200 candidates through an assessment day and more than 150 through an accredited recruitment and selection training programme.

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, the Council’s executive member for employment, skills and culture, said: “This great initiative is already exceeding our expectations.

“This fund is part of our wider Get Bradford Working programme – the largest job creation scheme created by any local authority in the country.

“And we are not just creating more opportunities for work experience but we are also improving the way skills are taught in schools.

“It is the Council’s priority to invest in the future of local people which in the long term will boost the local economy.”

The Telegraph & Argus last month unveiled the Foundation For Jobs campaign to bring the issue of unemployment – and, more importantly, employment – to the fore by working with key industry, private sector and public sector organisations and individuals to find ways to create new hope for the future.

Geraldine Howley, Incommunities group chief executive, said: “Incommunities is delighted to be bringing its expertise through its open field service and experience of running employment projects towards delivering this new jobs programme.

“Helping more residents into work is a key priority and this new fund will offer a fresh start for people looking to make the right move in their lives.

“Our involvement also demonstrates our support for the Get Bradford Working programme and the Bradford T&A Foundation for Jobs campaign.”